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United States Patent 3,219,206 AUTOMATIC TEXTILE BEAM TRANSFER APPARATUS John Cocker III, Gastonia, N.C., assignor to Cooker Machine & Foundry Company, Gastonia, N.C., a corporation of North Carolina Filed June 18, 1962, Ser. No. 205,171 3 Claims. (Cl. 21416.4)

This invention relates to textile apparatus. More particularly this invention relates to apparatus for the automatic loading and doffing of textile beams used in beam warpers, slashers, and similar textile machines. This application is a continuation-in-part of the co-pending application of John Cocker III, Serial No. 156,207, filed December 1, 1961, now abandoned.

Heretofore, in the operation of textile beam warpers, slashers and similar textile machines, it has been neces sary, in order to complete the unloading of a beam from the textile machine, to employ two or more operators to remove the dofling devices from the beam journals, and then to roll the beam away manually or to hook onto the beam journals lift rings from adjacent chain falls, or to pick up the beams and carry them from the area of the slasher or warper and, likewise, in loading empty beams into the machine, it has been necessary to transport the "beams to the machine in similar fashion. Since the beams are relatively heavy and cumbersome, the loading, and unloading and transport thereof has been a laborious and time-consuming operation entailing the use of additional personnel to assist the operator of th machine.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to overcome the aforesaid disadvantages by providing a textile beam handling apparatus and system for warpers, slashers and the like whereby the number of operators and the time required for the transport of beams is substantially reduced, whereby filled beams are automatically removed from the vicinity of the machine and deposited in a storage area, and whereby empty beams are brought forward from a storage area and positioned for mounting in an operative location in the textile machine with which the apparatus and system of the invention are adapted for use.

Other objects and attendant advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter and in the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation of an automatic textile beam transfer apparatus as provided in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a view in side elevation of a beam warper and doffed beam positioned in the automatic beam transfer apparatus adjacent thereto;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the automatic beam transfer apparatus and beam positioned therein taken as indicated by the lines and arrows IV-IV of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a View in side elevation of the end of the apparatus opposite the warper end showing beam carriage and beam racks thereof;

FIG. 6 is a right hand view, partly broken away, of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a magnified view in side elevation of a part of the left end of the apparatus as seen in FIG. 1, showing kicker block and cylinder thereof;

FIG. 8 is a view partly in section taken as indicated by the lines and arrows VIII-VIH in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a sectional vie-w of the apparatus taken as indicated by the lines and arrows IX-IX in FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view of the apparatus in one stage of the operation thereof;

FIG. l l is a diagrammatic view of the apparatus in another stage of the operation thereof;

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic view of the a third stage of the operation thereof;

FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic view of the a fourth stage of the operation thereof;

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic view of the a fifth stage of the operation thereof;

FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic view of the a sixth stage of the operation thereof;

FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic view of the a seventh stage of the operation thereof;

FIG. 17 is a diagrammatic view of the an eighth stage of the operation thereof;

FIG. 18 is a diagrammatic view of the a ninth stage of the operation thereof;

FIG. 19 is a diagrammatic representation of electrical circuits of the apparatus;

FIG. 20 is a view in side elevation of a modified form of the beam transfer apparatus as provided in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 21 is a diagrammatic view of the modified form of the invention illustrated in FIG. 20 showing one stage of the operation thereof;

FIG. 22 is a diagrammatic view of the modified form of the apparatus in another stage of the operation thereof;

FIG. 23 is a diagrammatic view of the modified form of the apparatus in a third stage of the operation thereof;

FIG. 24 is a diagrammatic view of the modified form of the apparatus in a fourth stage of the operation thereof;

FIG. 25 is a diagrammatic view of the modified form of the apparatus in a fifth stage of the operation thereof; and

FIG. 26 is a view in perspective of a second modification of the beam transfer apparatus as provided in accordance with this invention.

The following description is directed to the specific forms of the invention illustrated in the drawings and is not intended to be addressed to the scope of the invention itself which may be practiced in a wide variety of forms and arrangements.

Adverting herewith to the specific forms of the invention illustrated in the drawings, in FIG. 1 there is shown a beam warper 20 having opposing bearings 22 on the opposite sides thereof for the support of beam journals 24 of empty beams 26 which, after being filled with a textile T by the warper 20, become filled beams 28.

apparatus 7 apparatus apparatus in apparatus apparatus apparatus apparatus in P-ivoted to the sides of the warper 20 on pivots 30 are doffer arms 32 for raising beams 26 into position in the bearings 22 of the warper 20 and for lowering beams 28 therefrom. As may be seen in FIG. 3, doifer arms 32 are formed with hooks 34, closed by retractable daggers 36. Mounted to the side of the warper casing are switches 38 and 40 which function in a manner and for a purpose to be explained more fully hereinafter.

Also seen in FIG. 1 is a beam rack 42 having upright posts 43 mounted on the floor 44 and arranged to support an inclined track 45 on which are stored empty beams 26. Beneath the inclined track 45 are stored filled beams 28 on a track 46 mounted in floor 44. Carried by overhead tracks are chain falls 48 and 50 respectively arranged to load empty beams 26 on the inclined track 45 and to pick up full beams 28 from the track 46 mounted in the floor 44 beneath the inclined track 45. At the end of the beam rack 42, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, is a reserve beam carriage 52 comprising opposite side stands 54 to the top of which there are mounted bearings 56 in which are journalled the ends of a shaft 58 which is geared through a gearing case 60 to a drive motor 62. Mounted to the shaft 58 adjacent the stands 54 are pivot arms 64 having pivoted to one of the ends thereof lifting and dofling hooks 66. As may be seen in FIGS. 5 and 9, hydraulic cylinders 68 having plungers 70 are mounted adjacent the stands 54 of the beam carriage 52 on projecting brackets 72 provided for that purpose. A switch 74 is mounted to the right hand stand 54 of the beam carriage 52 as seen in FIG. 9, which switch cooperates with the cylinders 68 in a manner and for a purpose to be explained more fully hereinafter. Mounted to the same right hand stand 54, as seen in FIG. 9, near the top thereof, is a second switch 76, the function of which will also be explained more fully hereinafter.

As may be seen in FIG. 6, the inclined track comprises crossbars 78 supporting rails 80 upon which ride inwardly curved flanges 82 of beams 26. At the ends of the rails 80 are beam stops 84. Mounted adjacent the left hand rail of the rails 80, as seen in FIG. 6, is a switch 86 which functions in a manner and for a purpose to be explained more fully hereinafter.

As may be seen in FIG. 6, lower track 46 comprises rails 88 connected by a platform or plate 90. To the rails 88 are mounted beam stops 92. Socket panels 94 are provided at bottom of rails 88 for the reception of a pivot bar 96 around which rails 88 are arranged to pivot in a manner and for a purpose to be explained more fully hereinafter. The pivot bar 96 is supported by bearings 98 secured in the cement flooring at the bottom of a pit 99 into which the track 46 is set. Hydraulic cylinders 100, having plungers 102, are secured to the floor of the pit 99 beneath the platform or plate of the track 46. Mounted to an upright post 43 near the front end of the track 46, which end is designated by the number 104, is a switch which functions in a manner to be explained more fully hereinafter. As may be clearly seen in FIG. 5, cylinders 100 are mounted adjacent the front end 104 of the track 46 and the pivot bar 96 is mounted in its bearings 98 adjacent the rear end of the track 46, which end is designated by the numeral 106.

Extending between the warper 20 and beam carriage 52 is a third track 110, having an end 112 adjacent the warper 20 and an opposite end 114 adjacent the beam carriage 52. The track is pivoted at the end 112 on a pivot bar 116 mounted in bearings 118 aflixed to the floor of a pit 120 formed in the floor 44. The track 110 comprises a platform or plate 122 mounted on the side channels 123 which have aflixed thereto at the end 112 of the track 110 socket panels 124 which rest on the pivot bar 116. Formed on the top surface of the platform 122 of track 110 are rails 126 upon which ride the flanges 82 of the beams. Mounted on bearing stands 128 secured to the floor of the pit 120 are hydraulic cylinders 130 having plungers 132 which are pivoted by pivot pins 134 to lugs 136 afiixed to the under side of the plate 122. The hydraulic cylinders 130 are also pivoted in the stands 128 by means of pivot pins 138 which rest in sockets provided for that purpose in the stands 128. Set into the platform 122 of the track 110 at the sides thereof are kicker blocks 140, to one end of which blocks there are pivoted, by means of pivot pins 141, plungers 142 of hydraulic cylinders 144. The hydraulic cylinders 144 are themselves pivoted by means of pivot pins 146 mounted in side bearings 148 provided for that purpose. As may be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, an electrical switch 150 is provided adjacent one of the rails 126 of the platform 122 of the track 110 at the end 112 of the track. The purpose of the switch 150 will be explained more fully hereinafter.

As may be seen in FIGS. 5 and 9, cylinders 154 are mounted in bearing stands 156 by means of pivot pins 158 which rest in the sockets of the aforesaid bearing stands. Plungers 160 are pivotally attached to the under surface of the plate 122. Socket panels 162, extending downwardly from side channels 123, rest on a pivot bar 164 mounted in bearing panels 166. I

As may be seen in FIG. 19, hydraulic fluid carrying pipes and 172 lead into the hydraulic cylinders 130, respectively at the top and bottom thereof, through solenoid valves 174 having plungers 176 disposed within electrical coils or winds 178. Hydraulic fluid carrying pipes 180 and 182 lead respectively into the tops and bottoms of the hydraulic cylinders 100 through solenoid valves 184 having plungers 186 disposed within electrical coils 188. Hydraulic fluid carrying pipes 190 and 192 lead into the hydraulic cylinders 144 respectively at the tops and bottoms thereof through solenoid valves 194 having plungers 196 arranged within electrical coils 198. Hydraulic fluid carrying pipes 200 and 202 lead into the hydraulic cylinders 68 through solenoid valves 204 having plungers 206 arranged within electrical coils 208. Hydraulic fluid carrying pipes 210 and 212 lead into the hydraulic cylinders 154, respectively at the tops and bottoms thereof, through solenoid valves 214 having plungers 216 arranged within electrical coils 218.

The drive motor 62, the electrical switches 38, 40, 74, 76, 86, 105, and 150 and the solenoid valves 174, 184, 194 and 214 are connected in an electrical circuit with a circuit holding coil switch 220. Electric current from a source not shown enters through lead 222 into a terminal 224 from which a lead 226 enters the circuit holding switch 220. A lead 228 extends from the terminal 224 to a terminal 230 from which a lead 232 enters the switch 105. Switch 105 and switch 220 are connected by lead 234 through a terminal 236 in the switch 220. A lead 238 connects the terminal 236 with the switch 76. From a wind or coil 240 in the switch 220 a lead 242 connects to a terminal 244 from which a lead 246 connects in turn to drive motor 62. A lead 248 extends from the terminal 244 to a terminal 250 which is connected by a lead 252 to a terminal 254 from which a lead 256 extends to a terminal 258 connected by lead 260 to the coil 178 of the right hand solenoid valve 174 as seen in FIG. 19. From the terminal 258 another lead 262 connects to the coil 178 of the left hand solenoid valve 174 as seen in FIG. 19. A lead 264 connects the left and right hand coils 178 through a terminal 266. From the terminal 266 a lead 268 runs into the switch 38 and from the aforesaid switch another lead 270 runs into the switch 105. From a terminal 272 in the switch 220 a lead 274 runs into the switch 38 and another lead 276 runs into the switch 76. From the switch 76 a lead 278 runs to terminal 280, from which terminal a lead 282 connects to the drive motor 62 and another lead 284 connects to the switch 86. From the terminal 254 a lead 274 runs to a terminal 276 from which a lead 278 runs to a terminal 280 out of which a lead 282 connects to coil 188 of the right hand solenoid valve 184 as seen in FIG. 19. From the terminal 280 another lead 284 connects through a terminal 286 into the coil 188 of the left hand solenoid valve 184 as seen in FIG. 19. A lead 288 connects the left and right hand coils 188 through a terminal 290. From the terminal 290 a lead 292 runs into the switch 38 and likewise a lead 294 runs from the terminal 286 into the switch 38. A lead 296 runs from the terminal 276 to a terminal 298 from which a lead 300 connects to a terminal 302, from which in turn a lead 304 connects into the coil 198 of the right hand solenoid valve 194 as seen in FIG. 19. Another lead 306 runs from the terminal 302 to connect to the coil 198 of the left hand solenoid valve 194 as seen in FIG. 19. A lead 308 connects the left and right hand coils 198 and the valves 194 through a terminal 310. From the terminal 310 a lead 312 runs into the switch 40. A lead 314 runs to terminal 316 out of which a lead 318 runs to terminal 320 from which a lead 322 connects into coil 208 of the right hand solenoid valve 204 as seen in FIG. 19. From the terminal 320 a lead 324 connects into the coil 208 of the left hand solenoid valve 204 a lead 344 connects into the switch 86. A lead 346 connects the terminal 316 to a terminal 348 from which a lead 350 runs to connect into the coil 218 of the right hand solenoid valve 214 as seen in FIG. 19. From the terminal 348 another lead 352 leads to the coil 218 of the left hand solenoid valve 214 as seen in FIG. 19. A lead 354 connects the coils 218 of the valves 214 through a terminal 356. From the terminal 356 a lead 358 runs into the switch 40. A lead 360 connects the coil 218 on the left hand solenoid valve 214 as seen in FIG. 19 with the terminal 348. A lead 339 from switch 40 runs to terminal 342 adjacent the switch 74.

In FIGS. 20-25 there is diagrammatically illustrated a modification of the beam handling apparatus as pro-' vided in accordance with this invention in which there is shown a warper 400 having dofling arms 402 adapted to engage the journals 404 of empty beams 406 and lift the said journals into bearings 408 provided in the warper for that purpose, and to lower from the aforesaid bearings 408, full beam 410 to a pair of kicker blocks 412 located at one end of a track 414 having guide rails 416 extending to a beam carriage 418 at the opposite end of the track. It will be understood that the flanges of beams 406 and 410 ride on the guide rails 416. At the end of the track 414 adjacent the beam carriage 418, there is located a second pair of kicker blocks 420. Kicker blocks 412 and 420 are respectively raised and lowered by means of hydraulic cylinders 422 and 424, each having a plunger 426 and 428 pivotally connected to the kicker blocks 412 and 420 respectively. The hydraulic cylinders 422 and 424 respectively mounted in pits 430 and 432 formed in the floor 434 supporting the apparatus. The beam carriage 418 comprises opposite side stands 436 to the top of which are mounted bearings 438 for the support of a shaft 440 arranged for rotation therein and connected to a drive motor not shown. Mounted to the shaft 440 are pivot arms 442 and 444, having respectively pivoted to the distal ends thereof, lifting and dofiing books 446 and 448. Mounted to the stands 436 are hydraulic cylinders 450 having plungers 452. Carried on an overhead track above the beam carriage 418 is a chain fall 454.

FIG. 26 illustrates a further modification of the beam transfer apparatus as provided in accordance with this invention wherein there is shown a beam warper 500 having opposing bearings 501 on the opposite sides thereof for the support of beam journals 502 of empty beams 503 which, after being filled with a textile by the warper 500, become filled beams 504. Pivoted to the sides of the warper 500 are doifer arms 505 for raising beams 503 into position in the bearings 501 of the warper 500 and for lowering beams 504 therefrom.

Spaced apart from the warper 500 is a beam rack 506 having a frame consisting of upright corner posts 507 connected at the top by horizontal braces 508 and at the bottom by horizontal braces 509. Extending between the corner posts 507 intermediate the top braces 508 and bottom braces 509 on the opposite sides of the beam rack 506 are additional braces or connecting bars 510, 511, 512 and 513. Mounted within the beam rack adjacent each of the braces 509, 510, 511, 512 and 513, respectively, are generally horizontal platforms 514, 515, 516, 517 and 518 each of which are provided with parallel longitudinally extending rails 520 dimensioned and arranged to allow the flanges 521 of the beams to ride thereon. Each of the platforms 514, 515, 516, 517, and 518 are respectively tiltably supported on shafts 522, 523, 524, 525, and 526 which extend transversely across the beam rack 506 and have the ends thereof mounted in bearing blocks 528, 529, 530, 531 and 532 positioned respectively on the top surfaces of the braces 509, 510, 511, 512 and 513 approximately midway between the corner posts 507. The shafts 522, 523, 524, 525 and 526 are connected respectively through connecting links 534 to plungers 535, 536, 537, 538 and 539 of the respective 6 hydraulic cylinders 540, 541, 542, 543 and 544. The cylinders 540, 541, 542, 543 and 544 are respectively mounted to the sides of braces 509, 510, 511, 512 and 513.

Between the beam warper 500 and the beam rack 506 there extends a runway 545 having beam rails 546 mounted thereon for the passage of beams along the runway. Provided in the runway 545 immediately adjacent the front end 548 of the beam rack 506 is an elevator platform 549 which is moved in a vertical direction by the plunger 550 of a hydraulic cylinder 551 located in a pit 552 formed in the runway 545 adjacent the beam rack 506. The elevator platform 549 is provided with rails 553 of the same width and dimension as the rails 520 of the tiltable platforms 514, 515, 516, 517 and 518, and of the rails 546 of the runway 545. The elevator platform 549 is further provided at the outer edge thereof nearest the beam warper 500 with a pair of kicker blocks 554, which are connected by plungers 555 to hydraulic cylinders 556 mounted to the under-surface of the elevator platform 549. The kicker blocks 554 are situated at the end of the rails 553.

Mounted above the beam rack 506 is an overhead rail 558 for the support of a chain hoist 559, having a depending hook 560 and arranged to ride along the rail 558 on a pulley 561.

At the ends of the rails 546 of the runway 545 adjacent the beam warper 500 are provided a pair of kicker blocks 562 arranged for actuation by plungers 563 of hydraulic cylinders 564, mounted beneath the runway 545.

Operation In the operation of the automatic beam handling apparatus, as provided in accordance with this invention and illustrated in FIGS. 1-19, a beam change cycle is initiated by depression of a master control button 21 mounted on the warper 20 which actuates the dotfer arms 32 of the warper to engage the journals 24 of the filled beam 28 to lower them from the bearings 22 to the track at the end 112 thereof. The flanges 82 of the beam 28 are deposited on the kicker blocks 140. When the beam 28 has been deposited on the kicker blocks at the end 112 of the track 110, the appearance of the apparatus is as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. In FIG. 11 the doifer arms 32 are shown raised again in their upright position at which time doifer arms 32 trips the switch 38 located at the side of the warper 20. With the tripping of the switch a current flows through conductors222, 228, 232, switch 105, conductor 270, through switch 38 into conductor 268 and thence into conductors 262 and 264 to energize the coils of the valves 174. With the energization of the coils 170 of the valves 174, the valves admit hydraulic fluid through pipes 172 into the cylinders 130 thereby raising the cylinder plungers 132. The raising of the cylinder plungers 132 causes the end 112 of the track 110 to rise, the end 114 of the track 110 turning about the pivot bar 164. With the raising of the end 112 of track 110 by means of hydraulic cylinders 130, the track 110 is inclined downward from the end 112 adjacent the warper 20 to the end 114 adjacent the beam carriage 52. Accordingly, the guide rails 126 mounted on the platform 122 of the track are likewise inclined downwardly toward the beam carriage 52 so that the beam 28 whose flanges 82 ride the aforesaid rails will tend to move toward the beam carriage 52 under the influence of gravity. Tripping of the switch 38 also breaks the electrical connection between the conductors 270 and 292 thereby causing the coils 188 of the solenoid valves 184 to be de-energized and the plungers 186 of the valves to fall, thereby admitting fluid into the hydraulic cylinders 100 through the fluid carrying pipes to cause the plungers 102 of the hydraulic cylinders 100 to be lowered. Lowering of the plungers 102 of the hydraulic cylinders 100 lowers at the same time the end 104 of the track 46 which is normally raised, as in FIGS. l0-l 1, to cause the 7 track 46 to become level with the floor 44. With the track 110 raised at the end 112 thereof and the track 46 lowered at the end 104 thereof, the beam handling apparatus appears as shown in FIG. 12.

As the end 112 of the track 110 rises, it trips the switch 150 adjacent that end of the track. With the tripping of the switch 150, current flows through the leads 222, 228, 332 and 336 into the switch 150 and thence through a lead 337 into the switch 40 from which current flows through conductor 312 to energize the coils 198 of the solenoid valves 194 causing the plungers thereof to rise and fluid to enter the cylinders 144 through fluid carrying pipes 192, thereby raising the plungers 142 thereof. The raising of the plungers 142 of the cylinders 144 causes the end of the kicker blocks 140 pivoted to the plungers 142, to rise from their lowered position to the position shown in dot-dash lines in FIG. 7. Rising kicker blocks 140 push against the flanges 82 of the heavy filled beams 28, thereby imparting an impetus to the beam to start it rolling down the inclined track 110 toward the beam carriage 52 as shown in FIG. 13. The beam 28 passes from the guide rails of the platform 122 of the track 110 between the stands 54 of the beam carriage 52 and onto guide rails 89 mounted on the rails 88 of the track 46. With the arrival of the beam 28 on the track 46, it abuts the next adjacent filled beam and comes to rest at that point. As the beam 28 passes beyond the stands 54 of the beam carriage 52, the journal 24 thereof trips the switch 105 mounted to the upright post 43, as a result of which current flows from a conductor 222 through conductors 228 and 232 into switch 105 thence through conductor 234 into switch 220 and from there through conductor 238, switch 76 and conductors 278 and 282 to the drive motor which starts to run as a result of the energization thereof. The tripping of the switch 105 also energizes the coil 240 of the circuit holding switch 220 causing the switch 220 to close, thereby permitting current to flow from conductor 222 through conductor 226 through the switch 220 into the conductor 274 through the switch 38, thence into the conductor 292 to energize the coils 188 of the valves 184, the plungers 186 thereof rising and admitting fluid through pipes 182 into the hydraulic cylinders 100. As a consequence of the admission of fluid into the cylinders 100 as described, the plungers 102 thereof rise, thereby raising the end 104 of the track 46 as shown in FIG. 14. The tripping of the switch 105 also breaks the connection between conductors 232 and 270 thereby causing the coils 178 of the solenoid valves 174 to become de-energized as a consequence of which the plungers 176 thereof fall to permit fluid to enter through pipes 170 into the hydraulic cylinders 130, thereby causing the plungers 132 thereof to be lowered. Lowering of the plungers 132 of the hydraulic cylinders 130 lowers theend 112 of the track 110. The starting of the drive motor 62 initiates the rotation of the pivot arms 64 of the beam carriage 52, thereby raising the hooks 66 to engage the journals 24 of an empty beam 26 on the inclined track 45 adjacent the stop 47. As the pivotal arms 64 rotate, the hooks 66 carry the beam 26 and raise it above the beam carriage 52, all as shown in FIG. 14. Thereafter, the pivotal arms 64 continue to rotate in a counter clockwise direction, as seen in FIG. 14, to deposit the empty beam 26 on the end 114 of the track 110 so that the flanges 82 of the beam ride the rails 126 of the track. When beam 26 has been deposited on the end 114 of the track 110 as aforedescribed, the beam is between the stands 54 of the beam carriage 52 and the pivotal arms 64 extend vertically downward. As the pivotal arms 66 pass the stands 54 of the beam carriage 52, they trip the switch 76, thereby de-energizing and stopping the drive motor and leaving the pivotal arms 64 in their position extending vertically downward substantially as shown in dot-dash lines in FIG. and FIG. 15. Tripping of the switch 76 also causes current to flow into the conductor 330 to pass to the coils 208 of the valves 204, thereby energizing them and causing the plungers 206 thereof to rise to admit fluid into the cylinders 68 through fluid carrying pipes 202. As the result of the admission of fluid into the cylinders 68, the plungers 70 thereof are caused to move outward of the cylinder to engage the hooks 66 and release them from the journals 24 of the empty beam 26 positioned on the end 114 of the track 110.

In moving forward to release the books 66 from the journals 24 of the tmpty beam 26, the plungers 70 trip the switch 74, thereby closing the connection between the conductors 338 and 344 to cause the drive motor to start up again and to drive the shaft 58 to bring the pivotal arms 64 back into the horizontal position from which they started and as shown in FIG. 18. The closing of the switch 74 also completes the connection between the conductors 338 and a conductor 339 leading into the switch 40 from which current flows through conductor 358 into the coils 218 to cause the plungers 216 of the valves 214 to rise, thereby admitting fluid through the pipes 212 into the cylinders 154. As a consequence of the admission of the fluid into cylinders 154, the plungers 160 thereof rise, thereby lifting upward the end 114 of the track 110, all as shown in FIG. 17. The raising of the end 114 of the track causes the empty beam 26 to roll on the rails 126 toward the warper and finally to come to rest positioned on the raised kicker blocks 140.

When the pivotal arm 64 arrives in the horizontal position shown in FIG. 18, it trips the switch 86, thereby breaking the connection between the leads 344 and 284 and consequently stopping the drive motor 62.

When the empty beam 26 has arrived at the end 112 of the track 110 positioned on the raised kicker blocks as aforedescribed, the dofling arms 32 of the warper 20 move downwardly to engage the journals 24 of the empty beam 26 preparatory to raising it into the warper. Movement of the dofling arms downward trips the switch 40 on the side of the warper 20, thereby breaking the connection between conductor 312 to tie-energize the coils 198 of the solenoid valves 194 to cause the plunger 196 thereof to fall, thereby admitting fluid through pipes 190 into the cylinders 144 as a consequence of which the plungers 142 thereof descend to lower the kicker blocks into the proper position so that the doffing arms 32 of the warper 20 properly engage the journals 24 of the empty beam 26. Tripping of the switch 40 also breaks the connection between the conductors 339 and 358, thereby de-energizing the coils 218 of the solenoid valves 214 to cause the plungers 216 thereof to fall admitting fluid through pipes 210 into the hydraulic cylinders 154. As a consequence of the admission of fluid into the cylinders 154, the plungers thereof are lowered, thereby also lowering the end 114 of the track 110 to cause the track to assume the level position shown in FIG. 10. The doffing arms 32 of the warper 20 engage the journals 24 of the beam 26 positioned over lowered kicker blocks 140 and raise the beam and deposit the journals 24 thereof in the bearings 22 of the warper, thereby completing a beam change cycle.

In the modification of the beam handling apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 20-25, the switches and electrical circuitry are not shown, however, it will be understood that the operation thereof is fully automatic as in the previously described form of the invention. When the beam 410 has been filled, it is lowered by the dofling arms 402 to the floor 434 and positioned in the kicker blocks 412. The daggers of the dofling arms retract to release the journals 404 of the beam 410 and rise to a vertical position, thereby actuating the cylinders 422 to cause the plungers 426 thereof to rise, lifting the kicker blocks 412 and starting the full beam 410 across the track 414 on the rails 416.

When the beam 410 arrives at the beam carriage 418, it is caught by the receiving kicker blocks 420, which are in raised position at the beginning of the cycle.

With the arrival of the beam 410 at the beam carriage 418, the receiving kicker blocks 420 are lowered and the drive motor is started to rotate the pivotal arms 442 and 444. As may be seen in FIG. 23, the pivotal arms 442 and 444 rotate in a counter clockwise direction to bring the empty beam 406 downward and to carry the full beam 410 upward. When the pivotal arms 442 and 444 have rotated through 180, the full beam 410 is at the top of the beam carriage 418 and the empty beam 406 is between the stands 436 and positioned on the kicker blocks 420. The arrival of the pivotal arm 442 in a vertically downward position actuates the cylinders 450, the plungers 452 of which contact the books 446 to release them from the journals 404 of the empty beam 406. Actuation of the hydraulic cylinders 450 also stops the drive motor and hence the rotation of the pivotal arms 442 and 444. The movement of the plunger 452 of the hydraulic cylinder 450 actuates the cylinders 424 to cause the plungers 428 thereof to rise, lifting the kicker blocks 420. The kicker blocks 420 push the empty beam forward toward the warper 400, which beam rides along the rails 416 to be caught by the kicker blocks 412 which are still in raised position. The arrival of the empty beam 406 at the warper 20 actuates the cylinders 422 to lower the plungers 426 thereof, whereby the kicker blocks 412 position the beam for engagement by the dofling arms 402 of the warper, thereby completing a beam change cycle. Empty beams are brought forward to the beam carriage 418 by the chain fall 454 and deposited on the hooks 446 of the pivotal arms 442 and likewise full beams 410 are lifted from the pivotal arms 444 and the hooks 448 thereof and carried away by the chain fall 454 to a storage area.

In the modification of the beam transfer apparatus illustrated in FIG. 26, upon the initiation of a beam change cycle the dotfer arms 505 of the beam warper 500 are actuated to engage the journals 502 of a filled beam 504 to lower the beam from the bearings 501 to the runway 545 at the end thereof adjacent the warper 500. The flanges 521 of the beam 504 are deposited on the kicker blocks 562. The plungers 563 of the hydraulic cylinders 564 raise the kicker blocks 562 which propel the filled beam 504 along the rails 546 of the runway 545 to pass on to the rails 553 of the elevator platform 549 so that the flanges 521 of the beam become lodged against the kicker blocks 554 at the end of the aforesaid rails. Arrival of the filled beam 504 on the elevator platform 549 actuates the hydraulic cylinder 551 to raise the elevator platform 549 to a position in which the rails 553 of the elevator platform coincide with the rails 520 of one or another of the platforms 515, 516, 517 and 518. In FIG. 26, the elevator platform 549 is shown raised to the level of the platform 517, Which platform upon the arrival of the elevator 549 at the appropriate height is brought into a level position by the actuation of the cylinder 543, the plunger 538 of which moves to cause the shaft 525 to turn in the bearing blocks 531 thereby pivoting the platform 517 from its normally tilted position to the level position seen in FIG. 26. When the platform 517 has been brought into level position by the cylinder 542 the kicker blocks 554 of the elevator platform 549 are actuated by the hydraulic cylinders 556 to propel the beam 504 onto the rails 52% of the platform 517. When the beam 504 has arrived on the platform 517, as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 26, the hydraulic cylinder 543 is again actuated to turn the shaft 525 to tilt the platform 517 so that the end of the platform adjacent the front end 548 of the beam rack is tilted upwardly thereby preventing the filled beams 504 from rolling off the platform on which it is stored. Simultaneously with the actuation of the cylinder 543 to tilt the platform 517, the cylinder 551 is actuated to return the elevator platform 549 to a position level with the runway 545.

Empty beams 503 are picked up by the chain hoist 559 and may be deposited, as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 26, on the rails 520 of the bottom platform 514. The

hydraulic cylinder 540 is actuated to lower the front end of raised platform 514 into coincidence with the elevator platform 549 which in turn is coincident with runway 545 so that the ends of rails 520 of the platform 514 coincide with the rails 553 and 546 of the platforms 549 and 545 and an empty beam 503 rolls down rails 520, along the rails 553 of the elevator platform and the rails 546 of the runway to become lodged against the kicker blocks 562 at the end thereof, thereby positioning the empty beam for engagement by the doffer arms 505 which elevate the empty beam into position in the warper 500.

It will be evident that the storage platforms of the beam rack 506 may be used alternatively to store empty beams or filled beams as desired, and that transfers of empty beams and filled beams may effectively be made in a variety of ways other than the particular manner described and shown. For example, filled beams may be propelled from the warper 500 along the runway 545 to become deposited on the platform 549, which may be raised to the leveled platform 514, after which the platform 514 may be titlted to cause the filled beam to be deposited at the lower end of said platform, after which it may be picked up by the chain hoist 559. The chain hoist 559, moreover, may pick up filled beams from the top platform 515 or even from the elevator platform 549, if desired. Also, where convenient in the operation of the system, the chain hoist 559 may deposit empty beams on the aforesaid platforms.

It will be apparent that the automatic beam handling apparatus as provided in accordance with this invention, provides fully automatic means for transporting beams to and from the textile machines with which they are used. Moreover, use of the automatic beam handling apparatus, as provided in accordance with this invention, reduces the number of personnel and the cost of transporting beams to and from a storage area to the vicinity of the machine with which they are to be used.

Still another significant advantage of the invention resides in the construction thereof, whereby means are provided for accurately positioning beams for loading into textile machines and the like by automatic lifting and doffing apparatus.

Although this invention has been described with reference to specific forms and embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes other than those referred to above may be made in the form of the apparatus, that equivaent elements may be substituted for those illustrated in the drawings, that parts may be reversed, and that certain features of the invention may be used to advantage independently of the use of other features, all within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A textile beam transfer apparatus for transferring empty and full beams having circular end flanges between a textile machine and a storage rack, said apparatus comprising,

a substantially level runway extending between the textile machine and the storage rack, said runway having means for guiding the flanges of a rolling beam along the length of the runway,

a pair of dofling arms mounted proximate the textile machine for removing and replacing beams in the machine from the runway,

a pair of kicker blocks positioned within the runway adjacent the textile machine, said blocks arranged to rise from the level of the runway to position the empty beam adjacent the textile machine and to push against the flanges of a full beam to impel said beam to move along said runway toward the storage rack,

an elevating runway portion positioned at the distal end of the runway adjacent the storage rack, said portion occupying a position level with the runway to receive a beam and rising to selected levels to discharge a beam into the storage rack, said elevating portion having kicker blocks for impelling a beam from said portion into the storage rack, and

a storage rack having a plurality of tiered platforms,

said platforms arranged for tilting movement whereby beams are impelled from one end of each platform to the other end to load or discharge a beam on or from the elevating portion.

2. The transfer apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein,

said elevating runway portion is equipped with at least one hydraulic cylinder for raising and lowering said portion from the level of the runway.

3. A textile beam transfer and storage apparatus comprising,

a substantially level runway extending between a textile machine and the storage apparatus,

beam loading and unloading apparatus associated with the textile machine for removing and replacing a beam in the machine, from the runway,

means mounted within the runway proximate the textile machine for propelling the full beam away from the textile machine on the runway,

beam lifting apparatus located at the distal end of the runway adjacent the storage apparatus adapted for receiving and lifting full beams from the runway to the storage apparatus, means associated with said lifting apparatus for propelling the full beam from References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Chamberlain 214l6.4 X DeCoster 242-58.6 Cole.

Fourness 24265 Greer 24279 X Wiig 242-79 X Forshey 2l416.4 X Kurmer.

FOREIGN PATENTS Canada. Great Britain.

HUGO O. SCHULZ, Primary Examiner.

25 GERALD M. FORLENZA, Examiner. 

1. A TEXTILE BEAM TRANSFER APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING EMPTY AND FULL BEAMS HAVING CIRCULAR END FLANGES BETWEEN A TEXTILE MACHINE AND A STORAGE RACK, SAID APPARATUS COMPRISING, A SUBSTANTIALLY LEVEL RUNWAY EXTENDING BETWEEN THE TEXTILE MACHINE AND THE STORAGE RACK, SAID RUNWAY HAVING MEANS FOR GUIDING THE FLANGES OF A ROLLING BEAM ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE RUNWAY, A PAIR OF DOFFING ARMS MOUNTED PROXIMATE THE TEXTILE MACHINE FOR REMOVING AND REPLACING BEAMS IN THE MACHINE FROM THE RUNWAY, A PAIR OF KICKER BLOCKS POSITIONED WITHIN THE RUNWAY ADJACENT THE TEXTILE MACHINE, SAID BLOCKS ARRANGED TO RISE FROM THE LEVEL OF THE RUNWAY TO POSITION THE EMPTY BEAM ADJACENT THE TEXTILE MACHINE AND TO PUSH AGAINST THE FLANGES OF A FULL BEAM TO IMPEL SAID BEAM TO MOVE ALONG SAID RUNWAY TOWARD THE STORAGE RACK, AN ELEVATING RUNWAY PORTION POSITIONED AT THE DISTAL END OF THE RUNWAY ADJACENT THE STORAGE RACK, SAID PORTION OCCUPYING A POSITION LEVEL WITH THE RUNWAY TO RECEIVE A BEAM AND RISING TO SELECTED LEVELS TO DISCHARGE A BEAM INTO THE STORAGE RACK, SAID ELEVATING PORTION HAVING KICKER BLOCKS FOR IMPELLING A BEAM FROM SAID PORTION INTO THE STORAGE RACK, AND A STORAGE RACK HAVING A PLURALITY OF TIERED PLATFORMS, SAID PLATFORMS ARRANGED FOR TILTING MOVEMENT WHEREBY BEAMS ARE IMPELLED FROM ONE END OF EACH PLATFORM TO THE OTHER END TO LOAD OR DISCHARGE A BEAM ON OR FROM THE ELEVATING PORTION. 